Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) were due to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 but the match was cancelled due to constant rain at Eden Gardens on Monday April 6. This was a draw since each team contributed one point, which affected the initial tournament standings.
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and made an unanticipated move to bat first in the overcast and seam favorable conditions. This move backfired since the three time champions collapsed early. Xavier Bartlett, in his opening spell, took the lives of Finn Allen and Cameron Green in the same over in a fiery effort. Both batters moved swinging deliveries around the stumps, which Prabhsimran Singh finished with dismissals.
KKR were at 25/2 in only 3.4 overs and Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi were at the crease as they attempted to settle the innings. Rain came in at this however, and stayed on steadily, without any more action being done on the field. The rain eventually died, but the outfield was still too wet to play with a sense of safety.
KKR vs PBKS Called Off Due to Unfavourable Conditions
The umpires made inspections and found that things were unfavorable, and there was not time to stage even a five-over contest reduced. Rahane and Shreyas Iyer called a discussion with both captains and the match was called off.
The common ground shifted the positions to some extent. KKR has been pushed to the 8th position and they have lost two out of three matches indicating that they have not begun well. They had lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before. Conversely, PBKS topped the table with five points to carry on with their good season opener after defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
In the future, PBKS is to play SRH on April 11 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. In the meantime, KKR will also seek to recover when they face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 9 at Eden Gardens.
